Broncos and Chiefs tied atop AFC West, Gray Day in Indy, and All of NFL Week 11˗˗the Monday Morning Realist

Every Monday morning, Section 215’s Akiem Bailum gives an in-depth and unfiltered look at all of the latest sports news in The Monday Morning Realist. You can follow Akiem on Twitter @AkiemBailum.

(NFC) South of Nowhere

Nov 16, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons inside linebacker Paul Worrilow (55) reacts after carolina misses a last second field goal attempt. The Falcons defeated the Panthers 19-17 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Realists, there is always that one division every year. There is always that one division every year in the NFL that has to send one team to the playoffs, but you somewhat wish would be disqualified from any and all postseason berths for the season.

A few years ago, it was the NFC West. This year, that division that will have a division champion (and will get a home playoff game) but seemingly doesn’t deserve one is the NFC South.

For example, there’s the Atlanta Falcons, a team that was on the road this week. Needless to say that this season for the Falcons has resembled last season by a huge portion in terms of the injury bug as well as the defense. Two weeks ago, the Falcons were 2˗6 and appearing to be a team that was the same as last year.

Oh, not to mention all of the requests for head coach Mike Smith’s job.

On the other hand, there’s the Carolina Panthers, who were at home this week. This was a team that was able to reach the postseason last season on the back of its ferocious defense. This season, there are renewed questions about Cam Newton’s ability to lead an NFL team.

Oh, what a difference a year makes.

Week 11 would see these two rivals face off after a Falcons win and a Panthers loss (on Monday Night Football) last week.

This game would begin auspiciously for the defenses with an Atlanta three and out and the Panthers only gaining one first down on its opening series. The Falcons would have another three and out on its second drive before Carolina went on the move.

The Panthers began with the football on their twelve yard line, and slowly but surely, put together a drive that saw them efficiently move the chains. That drive lasted until the beginning of the second quarter when after advancing to the Falcons’ 4 yard line, got their first points courtesy of a Graham Gano 23 yard field goal for a 3˗0 Carolina lead.

The 17 play, 83 yard, 9:05 drive would be answered by one from Atlanta that would take 13 plays, 64 yards, and 5:31. After a touchback that put the Falcons at the 20, and moving the ball to the 14 yard line, Matt Bryant’s 34 yard field goal would tie the score at 3.

Each team only gained one first down on its following drives. Carolina did so as well on its next before the Falcons began an efficient series that saw them advance the football to the 24 yard line of the Panthers. It would see Atlanta take the lead with another Bryant field goal, this time from 42 yards out. 6˗3 Falcons.

This would be the score as the half expired.

The Panthers would begin with the football in the second half from their 20 and three plays into its opening drive, a Newton pass intended for Kelvin Benjamin instead found Desmond Trufant who returned it to the Panthers’ 14 yard line.

Two Steven Jackson short gains and a Matt Ryan incomplete pass later, the stage was set again for Bryant as he drilled a 26 yard field goal attempt through the uprights for a 9˗3 Atlanta edge.

On the heels of another Carolina three and out, the Falcons got the football again. This time, they began with great field position at their 45 yard line. After gaining two first downs earlier in the series, they got their third with a Ryan pass for 20 yards to Levine Toilolo. On the next play, the Dirty Birds hit paydirt with a Ryan 2 yard TD pass to Roddy White. This extended the Falcons’ advantage to 16˗3.

Another Carolina three and out would be followed by Atlanta moving the football again. They drove to the Panthers’ 31 yard line before a 15 yard penalty on Devin Hester for unnecessary roughness. A pair of plays later, Ryan threw to Hester for those same 15 yards before putting the ball on the turf. Thomas Davis caused the fumble for Luke Kuechly to recover.

Despite the recovery at the Panthers’ 47 yard line, the next drive would once again end in a three and out as the third quarter drew to a close.

The next three drives overall would be three and outs before a Panthers drive that began at their 29 and would see Newton connect on a 22 yard TD pass to Benjamin to bring Carolina to within 16˗10.

The Falcons gained one first down on their next series before punting back to the Panthers who took the lead with two plays. The first was a Newton pass to Jerricho Cotchery for 22 yards, then they tacked on the seven points when Newton found Philly Brown for 47 yards. 17˗16 Carolina.

Then on the next series, the Falcons would gain four first downs and advance the football to the 26 yard line of Carolina. The 12, 54 yard, 4:12 possession concluded with a 44 yard field goal courtesy of Bryant for a 19˗17 lead for the Falcons.

Carolina had a huge chance to take the lead again on their next drive. The Falcons began using timeouts. After gaining a pair of first downs and advancing to the Falcons’ 27 yard line, Gano attempted a 46 yard field goal that was no good and wide left.

A three and out by the Falcons primarily based on eating clock and taking care of the football gave way to the Panthers’ last possession of the game that would see them advance to the Atlanta side of the field at the 45 yard line. But, what would’ve been a 63 yard field goal from Gano was blocked, sealing the Falcons’ victory and a 4˗6 record to lead the NFC South.

Yeah, you heard me right, Realists. Four wins, six losses, and would be in the playoffs playing at the Georgia Dome if they began today. What a league.

• Ryan: 31/45, 268 yards, 1 TD
• Jackson: 17 carries, 41 yards
• White: 8 receptions, 45 yards

• Newton: 23/37, 292 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
• Williams: 10 carries, 41 yards
• Benjamin: 9 receptions, 109 yards, 1 TD

Week 12: CLE at ATL, CAR bye

Show Me Upsets: Part 1

Nov 16, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith (21) and free safety Husain Abdullah (39) celebrate after a goal line stand during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

There is about to be a theme that is about to develop with this particular Monday Morning Realist column. For a better glimpse of what that theme is, let’s take a drive down I˗70 through the Show Me State of Missouri.

We’ve just crossed the Kansas/Missouri state line and driving through downtown Kansas City. If one will notice a few exits after passing downtown KC, one may see Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.

I say, we get off that exit that will take us to Arrowhead.

Why did we get off the exit that would lead us to Arrowhead? The Seattle Seahawks were in town to face a Kansas City Chiefs team that all of a sudden is once again appearing to be a team to be reckoned with in the AFC. With the Raiders looking like they couldn’t beat an SEC team, and the Chargers banged up and reeling, the AFC West once again appears to be contested between Denver and Kansas City.

As for the Seahawks, Marshawn Lynch is still going Beast Mode on his own team as he is now saying that his team management is “talking too much.” So much for being “All about that action, boss.”

But Seattle was all about that action last week at CenturyLink when the defending Super Bowl champs and the 12s were too much for the New York Giants to handle. Lynch notched four touchdowns against New York en route to a 38˗17 thrashing of the Giants.

Oh yeah, then there’s that whole rivalry between the Seahawks and Chiefs’ fans regarding which stadium is the loudest in the NFL.

After the game was kicked off with a Seahawks three and out, Kansas City put together a possession that would see them eat nine minutes off the clock in the first quarter. Six first downs, including first and goal later, the Chiefs’ 15 play, 86 yard, nine minute opening drive was capped off with a one yard run from Jamaal Charles for a touchdown. 7˗0 Kansas City.

The Seahawks responded with a long drive of their own that spanned nine minutes. Midway through it on 3rd and 12 at the Chiefs’ 36, it appeared as if it would be stopped by a Wilson sack by Justin Houston who also caused a fumble. But Seattle was able to recover to keep the drive alive. Plus, there was a penalty on Ron Parker to boot for illegal use of hands to move the football to the 31 yard line.

Five plays later, Seattle got on the board with a Russell Wilson pass to Doug Baldwin for seven yards and a touchdown for a 7˗7 tie.

Kansas City would respond on their next drive when Alex Smith passed to Travis Kelce for 23 yards then would see a Jamaal Charles run for 28 yards. On first and 10 from the Seahawks’ 16 yard line, Charles capped off that drive with a 16 yard touchdown run on a drive that only took four plays.

The ensuing Seattle drive would also last four plays plus nine for thirteen and 76 yards for 6:30. Five first downs later after moving the football within the Chiefs’ 10 yard line, the Seahawks would see the first field goal of the game for Steven Hauschka as he was true from 24 yards out for a 14˗10 score.

The next Kansas City possession only lasted three plays. Why? Because on 3rd and five from the Chiefs’ 41, Smith threw to Kelce for five yards before fumbling. Earl Thomas caused the fumble and Jordan Hill recovered.

The Seahawks would convert this one into points after moving the chains to the nine yard line to force first and goal. But, they would go no further after gaining three first downs. With time expiring in the first half, Hauschka nailed a 27 yard field goal for a 14˗13 tally going into halftime.

The Chiefs then responded with three points of their own on their next series. Six first downs, 12 plays, 67 yards, and 7:21 later, Cairo Santos was brought on the field for the first time this game to try a field goal. His 23 yard attempt was good for a 17˗13 score.

Seattle would not advance the football far on their next drive as they only gained one first down. On the following punt, it appeared that De’Angelo Thomas was pushed out of bounds at the Seahawks’ 40 when he was really out at the 29. In addition, it also included an ejection for unnecessary roughness.

One play into that possession, Jamaal Charles fumbled thanks to Earl Thomas. The Seahawks recovered the football and turned it into points. The second play of the ensuing Seattle drive was a Wilson pass to Luke Willson for 27 yards and a first down. The fifth would see Wilson pass to Tony Moeaki for a TD and his only reception of the game. 20˗17 Seahawks.

The following four play drive for the Chiefs’ saw huge plays on the last two. After a 47 yard run by Charles, Knile Davis, on first and goal from the four, gained the necessary four yards for a touchdown and a 24˗20 Chiefs’ lead.

Seattle hoped to answer that last drive with one of their own, and moved the ball very efficiently. They advanced the football to the nine and forced first and goal. They then got to the two yard line and facing a fourth down situation in which they decided to go for it. It was unsuccessful as Wilson’s pass to Baldwin was incomplete.

The next three drives overall would be three and outs (on the last real Chiefs drive, the Seahawks burned all three of their timeouts) before Seattle had one more possession this game. The Seahawks did not go very far at all as they only advanced to their own 20 yard line and faced 4th and 18 that would see Wilson’s pass to Paul Richardson be incomplete.

Two kneel downs later, Kansas City would seal their seventh victory of the season.

• Smith: 11/16, 108 yards
• Charles: 20 carries, 159 yards, 2 TDs
• Kelce: 3 receptions, 37 yards

• Wilson: 20/32, 178 yards, 2 TDs
• Lynch: 24 carries, 124 yards
• Kearse: 5 carries, 54 yards

Week 12: KC at OAK, ARI at SEA

Show Me Upsets: Part 2

Nov 16, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams won 22-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

That Seahawks/Chiefs game was really fun, but I say it’s time to leave the great city of Kansas City and go back onto I˗70.

Next stop: St. Louis!

About midway through our excursion through Missouri, I am already picking up reception from radio stations not named 1120 KMOX. That means St. Louis is nearing.

A Gateway Arch later, we have arrived in the city that the Cardinals and Blues also call home.

And while in St. Louis, how about we take a little bit of a stop at the Edward Jones Dome, home of the St. Louis Rams. Lucky for us, those Rams are in action against the Denver Broncos.

The Denver Broncos?! Oooh, that means we get to see Peyton Manning in action!

Yep, that Peyton Manning. This road trip was a good idea….or at least we believe it was a great idea.

It appeared to have been a great idea given the fact that the Broncos’ losses prior to this game came to the Seattle Seahawks on the road and the New England Patriots on the road. On paper, St. Louis is nowhere near those two teams.
After all, the Rams did lose to an Arizona Cardinals team that is looking more and more like the best team in all of football by a wide margin last week.

So, how many touchdowns does Manning throw for this week? 3? 4? 5? 50?

The first drive would include Kenny Britt receiving a 30 yard pass from Shaun Hill on a 3rd and 3 play from their 27 yard line. The Rams managed to advance the football all the way to the 14 yard line of the Broncos before Hill was sacked for a five yard loss. The next play would be a Greg Zuerlein 37 yard field goal for a 3˗0 Rams lead.

Denver’s opening drive seemed promising based on the first play when Manning found Emmanuel Sanders for 22 yards on 1st and 17 for a first down. Beyond that, it was a virtual three and out.

A three and out by the Rams was followed by the Broncos being able to convert two first downs on their following series. They were able to get to the 37 yard line of St. Louis before two incompletions from Manning to Montee Ball and Sanders stalled the drive. The one intended for Sanders was on fourth down.

After the turnover on downs, 1st and 10 from the 37 became a 63 yard TD to Britt for a 10˗0 lead.

Denver once again only gained one first down on their following series prior to another three and out for the Rams.
On 3rd and 1 from their 29 on their next drive, Manning found C.J. Anderson for 21 yards to the 50 before three incompletions stymied that drive.

The next drive for the Rams would include a 21 yard pass from Hill to Britt for a first down after 1st and 10 from their 38. This moved the football to the Denver side of the field at the 41. After moving the football to the 10 yard line, they couldn’t find the endzone and Greg Zuerlein nailed a 29 yard field goal for a 13˗0 lead.

The first play of the Broncos’ next possession was a 23 yard pass from Manning to Demaryius Thomas. This made it first and 10 from the 43 yard line. A few plays later, Sanders was the recipient of a 43 yard touchdown throw for a TD to make the game 13˗7.

The half would end with a Rams’ three and out as well as a Manning kneel down.

Denver got the football to start the second half, and they were able to find several first downs. This time, they had a drive that went to the Rams’ 38 yard line, but it was still out of field goal range for Brandon McManus, so on 4th and 15 from the 43, they punted back.

St. Louis gained two first downs and moved to near midfield, but the drive stalled at the 42. The Broncos only got one first down on their next drive. Lots of defense in this game.

The big play of the next Rams drive would be a 27 yard run by Tre Mason. Six plays later after having the football at the Denver four yard line, the 8 play, 48 yard, 4:07 drive was capped off with a Zuerlein field goal from 22 yards out for a 16˗7 score.
On the ensuing Broncos drive, it would see it continue from the end of the third quarter to the beginning of the fourth. The first play of the fourth quarter was a Manning pass intended for Jacob Tamme that was intercepted by Alec Ogletree. He returned the football from the Broncos’ 38 to the Rams’ 47.

St. Louis would only advance the football 10 yards, but it was good enough for another Zuerlein field goal, this time from 55 yards out.

The next drive included all pass plays from Manning, including three pickups for first downs. The Broncos would also see another fourth down predicament at the Rams’ 28 and needing four yards. Manning was sacked for a loss of 12.

Only one first down was gained on the following drive for the Rams which was followed by a short Broncos drive that saw them get one first down before a Manning pass intended for D. Thomas instead was a pass intercepted by Trumaine Johnson who returned the football to the 41 of Denver.

On 4th and 4 from the 35, Zuerlein drilled another field goal (53 yards) for a 22˗7 lead.

The Broncos only got two first downs on their next drive and went for it on 4th and 1 from the Rams’ 41. Manning’s pass intended for D. Thomas was incomplete.

The last drive for St. Louis was all run plays to Mason intended to milk clock off the scoreboard. It was a three and out and resulted in a punt back to Denver. Manning only managed one pass for 15 yards to Andre Caldwell before time expired.

• Hill: 20/29, 220 yards, 1 TD
• Mason: 29 carries, 113 yards
• Britt: 4 receptions, 128 yards

• Manning: 34/54, 389 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
• Anderson: 9 carries, 29 yards
• D. Thomas: 7 receptions, 103 yards

Week 12: MIA at DEN, STL at SD

0˗akland

Nov 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers free safety Eric Weddle (32) celebrates as Oakland Raiders wide receiver James Jones (89) and wide receiver Andre Holmes (18) look on after the Chargers beat the Raiders 13-6 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Usually, this is a space reserved for the winning Arizona Cardinals, who earned a tough victory over the Detroit Lions in Arizona.

This week, we felt like doing something different.

The Cardinals did not clinch anything in terms of playoff berths in Week 11, but something happened to those hapless Raiders from Oakland.

Honestly, the Oakland Raiders look like a team that does not belong on an NFL field. Their stadium is said to be the worst in the NFL (and MLB given the Athletics’ escapades with the thing), their on field product is a mess, and they’re rumored to be one of the teams (along with the Rams) that is considering a move back to Los Angeles.

Are there any positive headlines for Oakland nowadays?

There are actually some positives for the San Diego Chargers, the team that they were playing on Sunday afternoon. San Diego is still in the thick of things in the playoff race, even though there are now questions about Philip Rivers’ rib.

On paper, this is a blowout waiting to happen.

So much for that.

The first play of the game was a Derek Carr fumble that was recovered by Donald Butler. A penalty on Carr for illegal motion was declined.

Two plays into the first Chargers drive that began at the 22 yard line, Rivers got those 22 yards by throwing to Malcom Floyd for a TD. 7˗0 San Diego.

The two teams exchanged three and outs before the ensuing Raiders drive that saw on first and 10 from the Raiders’ 41, a Carr pass to Mychal Rivera for 33 yards. This advanced the football to the26 yard line before 4th and 7 from the 23 yard line came up. Sebastian Janikowski drilled a 42 yard field goal through the uprights to bring the tally to 7˗3.

The following drive for the Chargers would see them gain two first downs before punting. The following Oakland drive saw them with a three and out before punting.

Despite beginning their ensuing possession at the 41 yard line of their team, the Chargers also had a three and out on their next drive. So did the Raiders.

The Chargers also gained only one first down on their next drive before punting. The next Oakland drive would be a three and out.

The following Chargers drive would result in points for a change as four first downs, 11 plays, 52 yards, and five and a half minutes later, a 23 yard field goal from Nick Novak was good for a 10˗3 score. This was after the San Diego drive stalled at the 5 yard line after forcing first and goal from the nine.

Oakland only picked up one first down on their next drive before San Diego’s offense returned to the field. Three first downs, eight plays, 47 yards, and nearly two minutes later, Novak’s 48 yard field goal try was no good as the half expired.

The first two drives for both teams were three and outs. San Diego’s second drive of the second half saw them gain two first downs with one big play. Ryan Mathews, on 2nd and 10 from the Chargers’ 33 ran for 20 yards. After 7 plays and 33 yards as well as 4:01 later, Novak’s 52 yard field goal try was good after 4th and 7 from the 34.

After exchanging three and outs, the next Raiders drive would be one where they started with the football at their own 2 yard line. They gained three first downs, including one where Latavius Murray ran for 23 yards.

The Chargers would only gain two first downs after a drive in which they started from their own one.

Oakland then gained only one first down on its following drive then came a three and out from San Diego.

Kenbrell Thompkins was the recipient of a Carr pass on 3rd and 5 for 35 yards. That was the third play of the following Oakland drive. The seventh, after moving the ball to the seven, 25 yard field goal from Janikowski for a 13˗6 score.

San Diego’s ensuing drive would only see two pass plays (both resulting in first downs) and primarily runs to take care of the football and chip away at the time. The Raiders had to use all of their timeouts.

The last drive of the game would see Oakland only gain one first down as time was running out. That was a 31 yard pass to James Jones for 28 yards to the 41. That was their only first down. Ultimately, a Carr pass to Jones was incomplete as time expired. Time also expired on the Raiders season as they have been eliminated from any playoff possibilities.

• Rivers: 22/34, 193 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs
• Mathews: 16 carries, 70 yards
• Allen: 8 receptions, 63 yards

• Carr: 16/34, 172 yards
• Murray: 4 carries, 43 yards
• Thompkins: 2 receptions, 47 yards

Week 12: KC at OAK, STL at SD

No Black or Silver, but Gray

Nov 16, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots running back Jonas Gray (35) celebrates a first half score against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Does anything more need to be said about the run that the New England Patriots have been on? Earlier this season after a 41˗14 loss to Kansas City in which was not Tom Brady’s best game of his career (not exactly) everyone started wondering if father time was upon Brady.

All of a sudden, he and his team are looking like the Pats of old. Brady himself even in his 30s is playing as if he’s still in his late 20s.

Indianapolis themselves is also coming off a bye week but is also appearing to be heading towards a playoff run as well with no one else in their division looking any kind of worthy.

The old days of the Brady/Manning Pats/Colts games have of course given way since Andrew Luck is now Indy’s QB and Manning is Denver’s QB.

After a Colts three and out, the Patriots’ first drive on offense would see them gain five first downs, including one resulting from a 25 yard run from Julian Edelman. It was capped off on second and goal from the 4 with a Jonas Grey run for a TD. 7˗0 New England.

Two first downs were picked up on the next drive for the Colts including a Luck pass to Reggie Wayne for 46 yards to the Patriots’ 15. But they would not advance the football much further as they had to settle for a 31 yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri for their first points to bring the game to a 7˗3 score.

The next drive would see Brady handoff to Gray who took the ball 20 yards. The next play, Indy picked off Brady.
The next drive for Indy began at their six yard line and they would only manage two first downs. So did the Patriots on their next possession. The Colts gained three on their ensuing drive including two Luck passes to Coby Fleener for 22 yards from the Colts’ 27 to the 49 and from the Patriots’ 49 to the Patriots’ 29.

But that promising drive was stopped dead in its tracks when Darrelle Revis tipped a Luck pass intended for Wayne and it ended up in the hands of Devin McCourty. His return was ten yards.

One way to win football games is to convert turnovers into points. The Patriots would get to the Colts’ side of the field when Brady threw for 20 yards to Rob Gronkowski. Four first downs, 11 plays, 68 yards, and over four minutes later, Gray again was responsible for putting six points on the board for New England as he found the end zone from two yards out.

An Indy three and out would be followed up by one from New England. The Patriots’ was the result of a Brady pick by Mike Adams on a pass intended for one Gronk. The trouble for the Patriots is that this came deep in their territory.
The Colts made them pay when on the third play of their scoring drive with a short field (starting at the Patriots’ 23 yard line), Luck found Hakeem Nicks for ten yards and a touchdown. This made it 14˗10.

New England would get the ball one more time in the first half in which they took a pair of kneels.

They knew they would get the ball back…and do something with that possession. The second play of that drive would be a Brady pass to Shane Vereen for 39 yards. After one more Brady pass and four straight run plays to Gray, Brady found Tim Wright from 2 yards out for a touchdown and a 21˗10 lead.

The next Colts possession began at their 25 yard line. Two first downs, six plays, 40 yards, and over two minutes later, Vinatieri kicked a 53 yard field goal through the uprights to bring the score to 21˗13.

On the ensuing Patriots possession, on 3rd and 6 at the 24 yard line, Brady found Brandon LaFell for 26 yards for their first 1st down gain of that drive. That later translated into four more first downs which put New England at the Colts’ two yard line. On first and goal, it was Gray again from a pair of yards out for six points to make the score 28˗13.

After beginning their next drive at their 20, Luck found Fleener for 45 yards to the Pats’ 35. On 3rd and 10, Luck threw to Fleener again for 22 yards on a play that the Patriots challenged on the grounds of if it was or wasn’t complete. The refs ruled that it was.

One first down later after advancing the football inside the five yard line, Luck threw to Anthony Castonzo from one yard out on 3rd and 1 for a touchdown. 28˗20 Patriots.

On the second first down play of the ensuing Patriots drive, Brady threw to LaFell for a pickup of 22. That got the football to the 37 yard line of Indy. New England gained five more first downs, picked up 80 yards on 10 plays in four minutes and 49 seconds, resulting in another Gray touchdown (from one yard out) for a 35˗20 Patriot edge.
Gronkowski was also flagged for unnecessary roughness on the TD play.

The Colts’ next drive saw four incompletions. Four, meaning a turnover on downs after starting at their own 32. After a pair of Gray runs, Gronk score via a Brady 26 yard TD connection. 42˗20.

Indianapolis gained two first downs on their ensuing possession including a 21 yard pickup after Luck threw to Trent Richardson. They got the football to midfield, but faced 4th and 12 at the 50. But Luck’s pass was incomplete after it being intended for Nicks.

The last few plays were all runs to Gray, including two first down gains. After a pair of kneel downs, this one was a good as done.

• Brady: 19/30, 257 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
• Gray: 38 carries, 199 yards
• Gronkowski: 4 receptions, 71 yards, 1 TD

• Luck: 23/39, 303 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
• Luck: 3 carries, 15 yards
• Fleener: 7 receptions, 144 yards

Week 12: DET at NE, JAC at NE

Other Games

Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Salute to Service military appreciation logo on an official Wilson football during the NFL game between the St. Louis Rams against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Dolphins defeat Bills 22˗9

• Bengals defeat Saints 27˗10

• Buccaneers defeat Redskins 27˗7

• 49ers defeat Giants 16˗10

• Bears defeat Vikings 21˗13

• Texans defeat Browns 23˗7

• Cardinals defeat Lions 14˗6

• Packers defeat Eagles 53˗20

• Steelers vs. Titans (8:30, Monday Night Football)